Three defensive players out for LSU spring game

Friday

Apr 19, 2013 at 11:00 AMApr 19, 2013 at 11:13 AM

BATON ROUGE — Anxiety over the transformation of LSU’s offense since a loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the hiring of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron ranged between slowly percolating and a full boil.

Matthew Harris The Advocate

BATON ROUGE — Anxiety over the transformation of LSU’s offense since a loss to Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the hiring of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron ranged between slowly percolating and a full boil. But the exodus of seven starters, including the entire defensive line, and the audition process to fill those roles might be just as vital during Saturday’s L Club Spring Game at Tiger Stadium. Just how much fans filtering into the West stands will be able to glean, though, is still incomplete with three projected starters sitting and not donning white jerseys. On Thursday, LSU coach Les Miles confirmed defensive end Jermauria Rasco, free safety Ronald Martin and cornerback Jalen Mills will be held out with undisclosed injuries. “There’s a couple first-team guys that are nicked and aren’t going to play,” Miles said. Martin suffered what Miles labeled a “weight-room injury” and missed last week’s scrimmage, while Rasco and Mills are out after undergoing minor shoulder surgery and will not be back on the field until fall camp. It succinctly put to rest notions of evaluating of how Rasco will replace NFL-bound junior Barkevious Mingo on the left end, and whether Martin’s solid production translates into a facsimile of All-American Eric Reid. But five weeks of practices revealed a relatively orderly process of transition for defensive coordinator John Chavis’ crew. In the middle of the line, Ego Ferguson and Anthony Johnson seemed at ease, while Rasco’s production seemingly tabbed him at one end spot. Coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Jordan Allen has operated as a solid technician in a battle with Danielle Hunter for the right end spot — one poised to carry into August. “Those guys might not have taken as many snaps, but I feel like those guys are veterans,” senior linebacker Lamin Barrow said. So Barrow doesn’t have to get complex with his main point ahead of suiting up this weekend. “Every time we go on the field, treat it like a game day,” Barrow said. “Treat it like it will be the last game you ever play. They’ve already started developing that mindset.” The linebacker corps has been staid, too. Junior D.J. Welter appears to have a tight grip in the middle, while the experiment with moving Barrow from the weakside was mere tinkering. And Tahj Jones, who returned from an academic suspension against Clemson, could be on the strong side. Senior Craig Loston returns at strong safety, while Jalen Collins could slide into Tharold Simon’s place at right corner and Mills on the other side. Put simply, the new cogs are installed. It’s just a matter of ensuring there’s no spits and coughs when the engine is turned over. “A lot of people are anxious and worried, and we can sense that,” Barrow said. “We lost a lot of guys, some very talented guys who are going to be drafted in early rounds. At the same time, we’ve got some young guys that are just as good or might be better. A lot of people are going to be surprised.”